Written Answers Nos. 520-539
520. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the projected cost of providing a Covid-19 booster vaccine in winter 2022 to all those currently vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38342/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
521. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free general practitioner care to all children under 18 years of age; the status of the current roll-out programme; the amount of additional funding that was provided to his Department to commence the extension to those aged 6 to 8 years in 2022; when this measure will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38343/22]
View answerMy officials and the HSE are engaged in preparatory work for the commencement of the initial stage of the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under, the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged 6 and 7. Consultations with the IMO, representing GPs, are currently underway with the intention of introducing this service this year.
Funding for the expansion of GP care without charges to all children aged 6 and 7 was provided for by Budget 2022 within a €45 million package of affordability measures, which also included initiatives in relation to oral health, the reduction in the threshold for the Drug Payment Scheme, and the reduction in hospital charges for children.
Due to the wide range of payments and variables that must be accounted for, and the requirement to determine the scope of services to be provided to newly eligible cohorts in consultation with the IMO, along with discussions on the fees payable for such services, it is not possible to definitively calculate the cost of expanding GP care without charges to further cohorts.
522. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing the HPV vaccine for free to adults who have not received it but want to access it through their general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38344/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
523. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing the chicken pox varicella vaccine free to all children through the primary or the School Child Immunisation Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38345/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
524. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the current funding imbalance for University Hospital Limerick compared to other model 4 national hospitals to bring it to the national average; the projected cost for same in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38346/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
525. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health current number of ICU beds in place; the number that are currently funded; the number of additional ICU beds that will be provided in 2023; the estimated all-in cost of a new ICU bed and support services and staffing for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38347/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to addressing the long-standing deficit in critical care capacity. Very significant funding of €77 million has been provided by Government across 2021 and 2022, to increase national capacity to 340 critical care beds by 2023. The HSE has advised that capacity of 333 beds can be reached by the end of this year, with the remaining 7 beds to open in 2023.
The HSE has advised that 51 of these beds are now open, bringing permanent adult critical care capacity to 306 beds currently, an increase of 20% from the 2020 baseline of 255.
The Strategic Plan for Critical Care, which I brought to Government in December 2020, will when implemented fully address the critical care recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review. In fact, it surpasses that recommendation, delivering an increase in capacity to 446 over time.
With regard to the estimated all-in cost of a new ICU bed and support services and staffing for same, as this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
526. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of payments to student nurses; the projected annual costs of implementing a permanent travel and subsistence scheme based on the recommendations of the McHugh Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38348/22]
View answerOn 4 November 2021, I announced that the Government had approved my proposal to provide significant additional supports, worth €12m, for student nurses and midwives while attending their clinical placements. Among these temporary measures, I extended the Pandemic Placement Grant of €100 per week to all eligible nursing and midwifery students on supernumerary placement to the end of the academic year 2021/22. Currently, HSE officials are working to make sure this grant is paid to any eligible students who have not yet received it. While this process is well underway, I am keen for it to be completed urgently and I have asked the HSE to prioritise this.
I also announced additional support to nursing and midwifery students needing overnight accommodation away from their normal place of residence in order to attend some of their clinical placements. I doubled the cap on the vouched accommodation allowance to €100 per week of placement.
These additional supports arose following the Longer-Term Review of Matters relating to Student Nurses and Midwives. This independent review, conducted by Mr. Seán McHugh at my request , set out a number of recommendations, including in relation to introducing an enhanced Travel and Subsistence scheme for students while attending their supernumerary clinical placements. My Department and I are considering these further so that an enhanced scheme can be put in place for the forthcoming academic year that will provide a targeted and more equitable approach to supporting students in undertaking their supernumerary clinical placements.
527. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of adding asthma to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38349/22]
View answerThe Long-Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. The LTI scheme will be included as part of a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
The additional cost to the State of adding Asthma as a condition to the LTI scheme (excluding sub-threshold & private patients) is c. €17.3m. This costing is based on the latest available data from 2020.
This costing is subject to the following caveats:
- Excludes any potential impact Covid-19 will have on respiratory conditions.
- The costings may also have been impacted by a change is client behaviour in 2020/21 due to the Pandemic.
- Dispensing frequency is at 80% or pre Covid levels but costs on that 80% has increased by c. €1.2m.
- Resetting back to pre Covid dispensing level the forecast additional cost reported above of €17.3m would increase to in excess of €17.6m.
In the meantime, for people who are not eligible for the LTI scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
528. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the additional funding provided for mental health in each of the past two budgets; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the status of each of the measures announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38350/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
529. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on progress around addressing the significant issues facing the dental treatment service scheme; and his views on when the issue is expected to be resolved. [38359/22]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Both I and the Government have been concerned for some time that medical card patients in some parts of the country have been experiencing problems in accessing dental services. The problem became particularly acute over the last couple of years as a significant number of contracted dentists chose to opt out of the DTSS. To help address this issue, I secured an additional €10 million in Budget 2022 to provide for expanded dental health care for medical card holders including the reintroduction of Scale and Polish and an enhanced oral health examination.
I am also using an estimated €16 million of an underspend in this year’s estimate allocation (€56 million) to award fee increases across a number of items including fillings.
The combination of these two measures represents an estimated total additional investment of €26 million in the Scheme this year over and above what was spent on the Scheme in 2021, €40 million.Following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, these new measures came into effect on 1st May. I hope that this substantial additional investment attracts more dentists to treat medical card patients.
These measures are designed to address immediate concerns with the Scheme, pending a more substantive reform of dental services to align with the National Oral Health Policy. The HSE will assist anyone still experiencing problems accessing a service under the Scheme.
I understand that contractors are looking for more substantive reform of the Scheme. It is my intention that this is addressed in the context of the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, which sets out a body of substantial services reform.
Work is underway to design a governance framework to oversee and facilitate root and branch service reform. The Chief Dental Officer in my Department is already engaging with stakeholders on such reform and I understand that she will shortly be meeting with the Irish Dental Association.
530. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists that have left the dental treatment service scheme in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38360/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
531. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of diabetes clinics in the State, including information regarding where they are located and whether they operate on a full-time or part-time basis. [38361/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
532. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the number of diabetes patients in Drogheda and south Louth who currently have to travel outside of their locality to attend diabetes clinics including the number of patients travelling and the clinics they are attending; if he has plans to establish a diabetes clinic in Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will provide details of same, or if not, if he will provide the rationale for that position. [38362/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
533. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the adult and paediatric waiting lists for each outpatient department in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38363/22]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Omicron variants.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, which was launched on the 25th of February, allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual waiting list programme, which is currently under development in the Department of Health. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, acute hospital Outpatient waiting lists are published monthly, broken down by adult and child for each specialty by hospital, and are available on the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) website at: https://www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
534. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if private healthcare workers will receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38395/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
535. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the actions that his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department are taking to increase recruitment of members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38411/22]
View answerRecruitment for the Department of Health is carried out by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
The PAS Nua strategy (2020 – 2023) identifies areas for action and through this strategy commits to increasing greater knowledge and understanding of diversity in the recruitment market and the Irish public sector. Recruitment and selection processes will encourage and enable access to candidates from diverse backgrounds.Once appointed to the Department of Health, employees are welcomed into a workplace that fosters diversity and inclusiveness from all communities. As a Government body, we have a responsibility under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, 2014 to eliminate discrimination; provide equality of opportunity and treatment for employees and persons to whom we provides services; and protect the human rights of employees and service users. Our Public Service 2020, the framework for development and innovation in Ireland’s public service, includes the promotion of equality, diversity, and inclusion as one of its headline actions under the pillar of Developing our People and Organisations.In addition to legislative and strategic obligations, we are building a culture of awareness and respect to enable and develop our diverse workforce that feels comfortable and allowing the communication of varying points of view. Colleagues from all communities are encouraged to contribute their voice to a workplace environment conducive to the emergence of a larger pool of creativity, innovation, skills, and experiences.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to their workforce. Information for other agencies under the aegis of my Department is being collated and will be provided directly to the Deputy once available.
536. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the abolition of prescription charges for persons with long-term medical dependency will be considered in the forthcoming Budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38429/22]
View answerThe Irish Public Health System provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e., full eligibility (medical cards) and limited eligibility.
Eligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended).
Individuals with full eligibility can access a range of services including General Practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultant services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultant services, dental, ophthalmic, and aural services, aids and appliances, and maternity and infant care services.
A General Practitioner (GP) visit card provides for eligible individuals to visit a participating GP service without fees and also covers visits to GP out-of-hours service.
The Government is committed to making healthcare more accessible and affordable and has introduced several reductions in the cost of healthcare.
On 1 November 2020, prescription charges under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme were reduced as follows:
-For persons over 70, the charges were reduced to €1 per item with a maximum monthly charge of €10 per person or family per month.
-For persons under 70, the charges were reduced to €1.50 per item with a maximum monthly charge of €15 per person or family.
In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card. Since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone normally resident in Ireland.
On 1 January 2022, the DPS threshold was reduced to €100 per month. On 1 March 2022, the DPS threshold was further reduced the DPS threshold to €80. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
The Long Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations prescribed 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. Prescription charges do not apply to persons who qualify for the LTI scheme.
A review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, is to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy. The current priority has been on access to GP services and a review of hospital charges.
Finally, individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
The abolition of prescription charges for persons with long-term medical dependency is not currently under consideration for Budget 2023.
537. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital cost to develop 12 community child and adult mental health services in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38431/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
538. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 198 of 25 May 2022, the estimated capital cost in developing an additional five dual diagnosis teams in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38432/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
539. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 203 of 25 May 2022, the estimated salary cost of 60 clinical nurse specialist advanced nurse practitioner posts and a 0.2WE consultant psychiatrist in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38433/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
561. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are implementing action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38739/22]
View answerThere is continuous engagement by my Department with disability representatives on policy matters. The Department of Health’s Disability Consultative Committee meets generally three to four times a year. The Health Service Executive holds regular meetings with disability representatives through its Disability Consultative Forum. These meetings are an opportunity to hear from disability representatives on their priorities for services.
These fora are an integral part of a wider consultative process with disability stakeholders which oversees and monitors the implementation of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, including the Department of Health’s commitments under that strategy.
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Committee, comprising disability representatives from the Disability Stakeholder group and departmental officials meet around three times a year. The National Disability Inclusion Strategy in turn was developed following three separate phases of consultation with disability stakeholders.
The Government welcomes the widespread engagement of disability representative organisations in ongoing discussion of policy and resource matters through channels including those listed above, which ensure the voice of people with disabilities is heard in matters affecting them.
562. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the status of a project (details supplied); if construction work has recommenced; the estimated timeframe of the facility being completed in light of the construction downtime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38760/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
563. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on respite services in CHO6; when it is expected that services will resume to previous levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38763/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
572. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the role that his Department will play in supporting the establishment of the wool council promised on foot of the recently published Wool Feasibility Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38155/22]
View answer573. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the processes for ash dieback removal in relation to the forestry reconstruction and underplanting scheme given that plantation owners are being advised that they will be able to remove the affected ash plantation but they cannot secure a license to cut down and replant; if his attention has been drawn to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38174/22]
View answer574. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with the Minister for Finance in relation to providing agricultural contractors with a similar status to farmers regarding the carbon tax on green diesel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38209/22]
View answer575. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider reviewing the agricultural appeals system with the aim of achieving efficient and timely outcomes for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38210/22]
View answerI inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of the Department. The Office has responsibility for agriculture appeals and in addition, the Office provides administrative and secretariat support to the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) which was established in February 2018. In addition to their agriculture appeal functions, Appeals Officers are also appointed as members of the FAC.
A Review of the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001 and operations at the Agriculture Appeals Office was completed in December 2017.
The report of the Review Committee included a recommendation that, where an appellant is not satisfied with the decision of an appeals officer, he or she can seek a review of that decision from an Independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel.
The Review Committee recommended that the panel should consist of an independent chairperson, the Director of the Agriculture Appeals Office and additional members with technical and practical expertise.
The recommendation for an independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel is a key priority for the current Government. Indeed, the Programme for Government Our Shared Future (2020) includes a commitment to “establish an Independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel in legislation, as a priority, and ensure that the panel includes participants with practical knowledge and experience of farming”.
This, and other recommendations contained in the Review, will require a change to primary legislation prior to implementation. Work is ongoing to implement this and other recommendations contained in the Review report and I have met with both the Director and Deputy Director of the Agriculture Appeals Office in this regard. Their work on the entirety of the Review recommendations has been extensive and has included consultations with relevant stakeholders including the farming representative bodies.
Recommendations of the Review that are already in place include: the appointment of a Deputy Director, bespoke legal training for Appeals Officers, engagement with the farm bodies involved in the Farmer’s Charter of Rights Monitoring Committee, formal induction training for newly appointed Appeals Officers, the publishing of a Code of Practice for Appeals Officers, the holding of case conferences, and the holding of remote oral hearings for appellants.
During 2021, engagement took place with relevant stakeholders, including representative bodies, regarding implementing the recommendations and establishing the Independent Review Panel and work is progressing on the required amendments to legislation.
The Agriculture Appeals Office has set itself a target of three months for closure of an appeal from the time of receipt of the Department file documents. Certain circumstances may result in appeals not being completed within that target time frame. In addition to the impact of COVID-19 and Forestry Appeals commitments, the reasons for appeals being closed outside the three month period varies and can include delays in agreeing dates for oral hearings with all parties, the complexity of cases, legal issues, time taken by appellants and/or the Department to revert with additional information requested, and resource capacity.
I have been informed that during 2021, there was an increased demand on resources due to the backlog of Forestry appeals, which I am informed has since been resolved. COVID restrictions also contributed to delays, as oral hearings could not be held during certain periods within the year, and a high level of postponements at short notice due to close contacts and other COVID-related matters.
I have been assured that the Agriculture Appeals Office is currently working on reducing the number of open appeals on hand and reducing the time period from the assignment of an appeal to an Appeals Officer to the closing of that appeal and has made significant progress in this regard in 2022 to date. In addition, I have been advised that the records of the Agriculture Appeals Office indicate the number of appeals received had increased from 570 in 2019 to 760 in 2020 and to 809 in 2021. Also, the number of forestry appeals had increased in 2019 and 2020. Both of these factors had a negative impact on the time taken to resolve appeals. I am now informed that the number of agriculture appeals received to the end of Quarter 2 this year was 325 and during that same period 489 appeals were closed and the time taken to resolve appeals is reducing in line with these trends.
576. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that the climate target set for the agricultural sector is fair and appropriate to the rest of the economy considering the leeway that has already been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38218/22]
View answerThe salaries of senior management management in Government Departments and Ministers and Ministers of State are determined in accordance with public pay policy which is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The senior management team in my Department is led by the Secretary General. My Department has a diverse portfolio which supports our mission in leading, enabling and regulating the agri-food sector in a way that optimises its contribution to social, economic and environmental sustainability.
To successfully deliver on the objectives set out in our Statement of Strategy 2021-2024, the reporting structure within my Department comprises 11 Assistant Secretaries with responsibility for a range of activities across the five main pillars of the organisation. All salaries relating to the aforementioned officers are in accordance with Circular 15/2022 which is attached for the information of the Deputy.
There are two Ministers of State in my Department. One Minister of State has responsibility for land use and biodiversity and also holds a Senator role, following election to the Agricultural Panel of Seanad Éireann in November 2019 and re-election in 2020. This role carries an additional yearly allowance of €11,470.00. A second Minister of State has responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development at the Department. Therefore, the Ministers of State receive salaries of €51,934.00 and €40,464.00 respectively from my Department. Remuneration in respect of the role of Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is at a salary of €82,730.00. These salaries in respect of Ministerial roles are paid in addition to remuneration paid directly by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Government Decision S180/20/10/2486 dated 27th July 2020 provides that all Members of Government and Ministers of State will gift a portion of their salary to the State. All of my Department’s Ministers are compliant with this decision.
578. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department are taking to increase recruitment of members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38402/22]
View answer579. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the green certificate courses for young farmers; the number of college places available in 2022 and 2023; the enrolment details; the length of time that applicants will wait when applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38442/22]
View answerTeagasc was established under the “Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act”, 1988, as the national agency with responsibility for the provision of research, training and advisory services to the agriculture and food industry.
Delivery of the Teagasc Green Cert programme is an operational matter for Teagasc. Accordingly, the question raised by the Deputy has been referred to the body for direct reply.
580. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the report on the potential for a domestic woollen industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38479/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that funding of €100,000 was committed in Budget 2021 to conduct a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool-based products such as insulation and fertilisers.
Following a competitive public procurement procedure, ‘The Agile Executive’ a consortium made up of experts from Munster Technological University and Donegal Yarns, were appointed in November 2021 to carry out the wool review and examine the submissions received under the public consultation process.
The Agile Executive produced a report of the findings of the wool review which was published on July 1, 2022. This report, which was independently compiled by The Agile Executive, includes a number of findings and recommendations, including potential funding streams, market opportunities for wool, and multiple areas for additional research and development.
One of the main recommendations of the wool report is the formation of an industry-led Wool Council to develop and promote Irish wool on a domestic and international scale, as well as bringing together multiple stakeholders to foster collaboration, innovation, and scaling activities in the wool sector.
I am very supportive of this recommendation and have committed to provide €30,000 towards the initial costs of setting up this industry-led Wool Council which will provide a clear pathway towards maximising the potential of this valuable natural resource into the future.
